Putting the "Wow" Factor into a Room

     Sometimes the simplest things can dramatically change a room.
1) Paint- is easy and cheap.  It is important to make sure the color flows with the rest of the house.  Also you might want to test a small sample on the walls before painting the whole room.  Often a color will be much darker or brighter in large areas than on a small paint swatch.  I suggest going into model homes and picking out colors you like.  This is a great way to see how they will look in your home.

2) Rearrange your furniture.  Consider placing furniture at angles rather than everything against the walls.  This will add visual interest and often open up the room.

3) Use a few great accessories such as artwork as a focal point.  Artwork does not need to be expensive.  You can even use posters that are nicely framed or even groupings of personal photos.  Just make sure the frames are attractive.  It is important to hang pictures at eye level.  If it is too high it will get lost and if it too low it will be out of balance. Use one large picture or a grouping of pictures for the best impact.
When accessorizing you can use both modern and traditional pieces.  Odd numbers of things when grouped look best. This is one area that you can really personalize a space.

4) Window treatments-make the most dramatic statement of all!  If you cannot afford custom, consider purchasing ready made panels that are over 90" long.  This will make your window look taller and the room have more of a wow factor.  Consider adding trim or additional fabrics to the panels for a more custom look.
Additionally, you can purchase ready made valances and staple them on wood boards adding returns and trim for a brand new look.  Layer your windows with hard treatments such as blinds, shutters or shades on the inside of the window with simple drapery treatments on the outside.

5) Consider wallpapering or faux finishing at least one room of your home.  There are a lot of great wallpapers on the market right now that can really make your home look very plush and expensive.  You can also experiment with faux finishes or hire a professional.  Faux finishes look great on dinning walls and trey ceilings.

6)  Pillows are an easy way to tie a room together.  You can purchase inexpensive ones or have them custom made.  This is a great way to easily change things from season to season.   Use different sizes, fabrics and shapes for visual interest.  Again, odd numbers in groupings work best.  Don't forget about spaces such as garden rooms and porches they are a great place to add color with pillows too.